News & insights

How we’re helping Kiwis consume less sugar

No Sugar trio 900 550 px

10/05/2022

Action on Drinks, Low and No Sugar , New Zealand |

At Coca-Cola in New Zealand[1], we know that eating and drinking less sugar is increasingly important to many New Zealanders.

People’s tastes and preferences are changing and we’re changing too, taking action by reducing sugar in our recipes, offering more no and low sugar options and smaller packaging sizes, and ensuring we are transparent with the information we provide to people about our products.

We’ve achieved our 10% by 2020 sugar reduction goal

Since 2015, we have reduced sugar across our portfolio of drinks in New Zealand by 13%[2], and we’re not done yet. We have an ambitious goal to reduce sugar by 20% across our portfolio of drinks by 2025 and we’re on track to achieve this.

We’ve been working to reduce sugar in our recipes, while keeping the great taste people know and love. For example, we have reduced sugar in two of our most popular sparkling beverages; Fanta Orange now has 35% less sugar and we’ve reduced the sugar in Schweppes Sparkling Duet Orange & Lemon by 26%.

We also continue to increase the availability of our smaller packs, with 97% of major retailers now selling pack sizes 300mL or under.[4]

1 in 2 Coca-Cola’s purchased have no sugar[5]

At Coca-Cola, we are listening to what Kiwis want. And they want to consume less sugar. We are helping to drive change by transforming our portfolio of drinks and actively promoting our Coca-Cola no sugar soft drinks by featuring it in 90% of Coca-Cola advertising.

We’re pleased to share that today, 1 in 2 Coca-Colas purchased from supermarkets, petrol stations, some convenience stores and licensed retail outlets contain no sugar.

Over half our brands in New Zealand now offer a low or no sugar option[7], and across our entire portfolio of drinks, the sales of low and no sugar drinks have grown 23% in the past two years, with 41% of our drinks purchased now low or no sugar.[8]

Water only in schools

The Coca-Cola Company has a long-standing policy not to market beverages to children.

We only directly sell water into primary and intermediate schools, a commitment made through the New Zealand Beverage Council.

We are committed to the Advertising Standards Authority Children’s and Young People’s Code, ensuring those under 14 are not directly targeted by our advertising or promotions.

We’re listening to what Kiwis are telling us – offering more choice and refreshing the taste our brands are famous for

At Coca-Cola in New Zealand, we’re committed to giving people more of the drinks they want. And, as a leader in the beverage industry in New Zealand, we choose to do more – not just say more – when it comes to helping Kiwis consume less sugar from our beverages. We want to be as open and transparent as possible in our actions. We will continue to report on progress against our commitments in this and other areas.

For more information on how we are helping Kiwis consume less sugar from our beverages visit here.

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[1] Coca-Cola Oceania and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners New Zealand

[2] Based on weighted average sugar content (g per 100 mL) – this calculation accounts for the relative volume sold of each product. Reduction measured from 01 Jan 2016 to 31 Dec 2021. Across Coca-Cola Oceania and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners New Zealand’s non-alcoholic ready-to-drink range. 

[3] Based on weighted average sugar content (g per 100 mL) – this calculation accounts for the relative volume sold of each product. Reduction measured from 01 Jan 2016 to 31 Dec 2021. Across Coca-Cola Oceania and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners New Zealand’s non-alcoholic ready-to-drink range.

[4] Small packs are non-alcoholic 300mL or under.

[5] Based on Nielsen Total Measured Market RMS Scan Oct 21.

[7] Low sugar = less than or equal to 2.5g/100mL.

[8] Source: Nielsen ScanTrack MAT 14/11/21; volume sales in measured market for CCEP NZ and CCO no sugar brands, plus CCEPNZ and CCO drinks that have sugar less than 2.5g/100mL